Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-27
THE rRrALTRIp or TuE CHICAGO.
The Captain's Report-The Merits ana
Defects of the Vessel.

A Washington telegram says: The
Secretary of the Navy has received an
official report from Captain II. u. Robe
son, commanding the Chicago, in regard
10 the Recent trial trip OF that vessel.
He saws the trial began at $3.50 o'clock
A. NJ. on December 10th at Execution
Rock. The weather was clear with a
strong breeze and moderate gales from
the northeast aud westward. As far as OBJ
served the force OF the wind did not Affect
the speed. the ship having no top hamper
whatever. The sea was moderate eX-
cept in that part Of the sound to the
eastward Of Stratford Point, where a
slight swell'f from The northwest was cxpe-
rienccd. The distance run was carefully
noted by bearings of objects on shore by
the patent logs and the lOg'chip, these
observations, rs far as possible, being
taken every half hour These data, with
an allowance for the tide, are gwen IN
tabulated record of speed accom-
panying the report, showing that
the distance recorded by the log
was slightly below the actual dis
lance shown ly the bearings. Captain
Robson SAYS that the run was extended
further 20 the eastward than was at iifst
intended, owing 10 the temporary dlsa-
bility of the steering engine. One OF
! The eccentric straps became loose and re
quircd change from steam to hand,
and as it was found desirable TO make
the run with the steam-steerer slight
delay occurred in the time OF running
The steerer again became disabled from
the same cause, and the ship was steered
( hy hand during the last hour Of the run.
The six-hOur trial was finished at 3:3o,
! the ship having run $3.50 nautical miles
by the chart, or, with the allowance tor
tides, 90.G3 nautical miles. The mean
speed obtained during the run was 10 /
/ knots, and the maximum speed for any
one hour was 1886 knots. The mean
horsepower developed was 5,OSl and
the maximum for one hour J,24S.
The machinery worked smoothly for
| the entire run. ana though the water was
occasionally used on the journals, the
engines were not stopped or slowed
down at any time during the trial. The
engines worked quickly and efficiently,
and all signals from deck were
promptly answered. During a tenn
porary adjustment Of the steam
steercr the ship was easily handled
in the East river 10y working the
twin screws. No report is made Of the
air pressure. as it was not considered
either desirable OF necessary to close the
/ fire-rooms. Al the steam that could be
worked through the engines was fur
nished 10y the blower assisting the natu-
raj draft Chief-Eugineer Henderson
reported that the ability Of the fire
rooms TO maintain tine air pressure re-
quired 10y contract was proved 10y tests
at Chester.
Captain Robson SAYS the snip steers
well, and that when the steering-englne
is properly adjusted and few minor de
focts corrected the steam-steerer will
give satisfactory results The steam
cauetan did not work well aud much
/ difficulty was experienced IN weighing
the anchor. The reversing gear of the
anchor engine does not work al all. and
its present condition makes 1t useless.
| Captaln Robson SAYS that some arrange
ment should bemade to keep the chain on
a leyelwlth the barefoot thcctpstan. The
pawls on the gundeck capstan We're all
broken, and should be replaced with
pawls of wrought iton Owing to tine
horizontal position of the anchor-chams
attached 10 the lower edge OF the main
/ deck, the vibrations in working the en-
CINE are excessive. The steam trial
/ clearly showed the necessity Of making
/ different arrangements regarding the
/ fire-room matches 1t is probable thai
the maximum speed corresponding TO It'd
developed horsepower WAS not made OF
/ this trial because OF the foul condition OF
/ the vessels bottom.